Murray boys getting total team effort
The losses Murray High’s boys basketball team has sustained this season haven’t been for a lack of effort. In fact, the Spartans, thought to be in a rebuilding year with the graduation of all-state player David Collette, have six players each averaging at least five points per game.
Murray (4-4) started the season 1-3, but had won three of its last four games as of our press deadline. The Spartans defeated Taylorsville 63-47, West 59-40, Riverton 42-39 and East 76-61, and lost to Cottonwood 49-45, Northridge 55-39, Mountain Crest 56-40 and West Jordan 67-46.
Orhan Agovic, who missed the first three games of the season, was averaging 14 points per game, while Jackson Winget averaged 11 points, Nathan Aland and Nick Rush eight apiece, Dylan Ross seven and Mitch Dial five. The Spartans averaged 51 points per game, but allowed opponents 52.
Winget totaled 14 points, six assists and four steals in the loss to Cottonwood. Aland had 14 points, Ross scored all of his nine points on 3-pointers and Rush had eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Colts led 24-23 at halftime and 38-34 after three quarters.
Murray posted its first win of the season against Taylorsville. Winget had 14 points, Rush had 12 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals, Aland had 11 points and seven rebounds, Ross nine points, Adams six points and six assists and Dial six points. Murray bolted out to a 29-18 halftime lead.
Murray dropped both of its games at the Jordan Tournament to Northridge and Mountain Crest. Winget scored 12 points against Northridge, while Rush had 12 points and five rebounds, Aland 10 points and four rebounds and Adams four points and three steals. Northridge led 34-23 at halftime.
Aland paced the Spartans with 10 points and eight rebounds against Mountain Crest. Ross added 10 points, Chase Topham had eight, Winget four and Riley Meyer had six assists. Mountain Crest outscored Murray 28-7 over the middle quarters to build its lead.
Murray routed West behind Aland’s 12 points and 11 rebounds. Rush had 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Agovic had 11 points and eight rebounds, Ross eight points, Winget six points and five rebounds and Adams four points and four assists. Murray led 30-19 at halftime.
The success continued against Riverton, as Winget had 14 points and five steals, Agovic had 13 points and nine rebounds, Aland four points and five rebounds and Ross three points and four rebounds. The Spartans trailed 24-23 entering the fourth quarter but outscored Riverton 19-15.
Agovic made three 3-pointers and had 27 points against East, while Winget had 16 points and eight rebounds, Ross 12 points and five rebounds, Rush 11 points and five rebounds, Adams four points and nine rebounds and Aland four points and six rebounds. Murray outscored East 27-14 in the fourth.
Dial drained four 3-pointers and had 14 points against West Jordan. Topham added seven points, Ross and Agovic had six apiece and Winget five.
Murray was scheduled to host Judge Memorial on Jan. 3, travel to Sky View on Jan. 6 and host Highland on Jan. 10 before opening the region season Jan. 13 at Skyline.
